That left Bill in one-on-one coverage; the cornerback was running with Bill stride-for-stride. David threw a nice ball over Bill’s outside shoulder where only Bill could go and get it. The corner grabbed his jersey, but Bill muscled through the hold and reached out and caught the ball. The corner stumbled, and Bill ran it in to finally get them on the board.
In the end, David had told the defense what the play was each time he got his men set. It didn’t matter, as Coach Stackhouse had said. The final score was 35–28 in the Cardinal team’s favor.
◊◊◊
“Much better! Much better!” Coach Merritt said as he entered the locker room. “Okay, sit your asses down. Good job. It’s impressive how hard and consistent we played in the second half. It didn’t matter what the situation was or who was in the game; it was pretty impressive. Now, all we have to do is do it for a full game. If you play like that next Saturday, I hate to think what the final score will be.”
“Does that mean Cassidy Hope isn’t waiting for us?” Willy asked.
“Yes, you’ve earned some rest. Go out and blow off some steam tonight. Be ready to get to work on Monday. Also, school is starting, and I want you to take care of business in the classroom. Next week, let’s keep building on today. Details matter. You’re dismissed,” Coach Merritt said.
He walked over to David.
“We’d like to have you come in on Sunday to look at the film from the game. I also want to show you UNLV’s defense,” Coach Thomas said.
“What time?”
“Let’s shoot for one o’clock.”
“I’ll be there,” David said.
He made his way to his locker to find Percy waiting for him.
“Dick.”
“Bite me, princess,” David said with an ear-to-ear grin. “Bear is a big boy, isn’t he?”
“If he ever figures it out …”
David nodded. Bear’s biggest problem was that he was a rookie. He’d shown he was capable, but he hadn’t learned the nuances of playing left tackle. Point him at a target and have him go all Hulk, and he looked like he belonged in the NFL. Percy was right: Bear would be unstoppable in a few years.
“Are you going out tonight?” Percy asked.
“Maybe for a bit. Crystal has some event at Sigma Mu for the girls. They’re all having dinner together and then going out, and I’ll probably bail on the going out part,” David admitted.
“If you decide to come out, the team is having a party.”
Several defensive players had rented out all the units in an apartment building. His mom would have had kittens if she had managed the place. They might have to burn down the building after those Neanderthals destroyed it.
“Is it an open party?” David asked.
“If they’re girls.”
David closed his eyes and shook his head. Of course, every woman on the USC campus would be welcome if those horndogs had a say in the matter. He would make sure to tell Crystal to keep her girls far away tonight.
“I think I’d better take a pass. If I ended up in the middle of that bunch, I would probably have to do beer bongs or something else just as bad.”
Percy laughed.
“You would.”
“I’ll see you on Monday, brother,” David said as he gave Percy a fist bump.
◊◊◊
Something David had been dreading was facing Milena. Last spring, they had been pseudo-dating before she left campus over the summer. Now he was seeing one of her best friends in the sorority. When he arrived for dinner, Crystal had to deal with stuff, so he found himself talking to Taylor.
“Are you looking for Milena?” Taylor guessed correctly.
“I thought I would see her around.”
“She’s taking a year off to travel with her mom.”
“Oh,” was his witty retort.
“She knows about you and Crystal and is fine with it,” Taylor said and then added, “If you were wondering.”
David gave her a helpless look.
“You must think I’m a jerk.”
Taylor nodded ‘yes.’
“But Milena made a choice to not come back, knowing it meant that the two of you were probably done. That you both sort of went your own ways after the semester was over said volumes, and it was what she needed. Milena had never been in a relationship before, and you were the perfect practice boy for her.”
David saw a pattern. He was okay to date for a while until something better came along. But that could be said of everyone. In the past, he might have obsessed about what it all meant. Frankly, after this summer, he was over it.
One smart thing he’d done was date Crystal. Seeing her busy being president meant that they’d been right when they started seeing each other. It wasn’t serious. To be honest, he wasn’t ready to settle down.
Maybe his football teammates had it right. Find random girls and hook up with them. Even with all his responsibilities—kids, being a role model, his celebrity—it didn’t mean he had to find the one and settle down. Hell, his baby mamas were all older, and only Peggy had found her guy.
He was in a funk until he went home to the dorm. David decided to go up onto the roof, start a fire, and relax.
He received a message from Tracy wanting to know if they could borrow his car to go to the football party. He’d parked the Porsche at the townhouse. He’d also leased them a Mustang so that Pam could drive to Loyola Marymount.
“Why do you need my car?” David asked when she answered her phone.
“Some of the rowing team is here. It would just be easier with two cars,” Tracy said.
“I take it you have designated drivers?”
“Yes, Dad.”
He chuckled.
“Have fun.”
“When are you coming over? Pam and I miss you,” Tracy offered.
This was what he was talking about. He decided he’d better have a conversation with Crystal before hurting anyone’s feelings, but he was up for what Tracy was offering.
“Call me tomorrow.”
“One more thing: I think Cassidy is meeting some Aussie guy at the party. Do we have anything to worry about?” Tracy asked.
“Cassidy’s a big girl. Oliver’s a horndog, but he isn’t mean-spirited. My guess is it’s just casual.”
“Alright. I won’t worry then,” Tracy said and hung up.
David had no doubt Cassidy was making a mistake if that was happening, but he’d learned a long time ago that people didn’t care to hear that from their friends. He would be there if Knackers hurt her feelings. David might even kick his butt.
David reflected on what was to come. He was finally beginning his college football career. It seemed like he’d been working toward this forever. David knew that it would be over in a flash once he started, so he wanted to savor every minute of it. If all went well, he might be one of the lucky few who could play the game professionally.
With that thought in mind, he packed up and put out the fire.
◊◊◊
Two Days into the Future
His heart ached for Cassidy, and he wished he could take her pain away.
“This is positively the worst first day of school ever,” David said to himself.
“And just think, it’s not over yet,” a girl said, surprising him out of his funk.
“Thanks, that gives me something to look forward to,” David said as he shook his head slowly.
He glanced up and saw the earnest face looking back at him.
‘If Hello Gorgeous hadn’t come along …’ David thought as he smiled.
“I’m David, better known as Bond, Ian Bond.” His voice dropped at ‘Bond’ like a TV announcer.
“You and my mom are BFFs. You took her to coffee and then invited her up to your room. My dad told me to look you up.”
“Here I am.”
Maybe the day wasn’t going to be utterly sucktastic after all.
◊◊◊
The End
Notes from the Author
The Stupid Boy Series hit a major milestone. This multi-award winning series has surpassed 6 million downloads. I want to thank you for being a part of that.